The Cliffs: Eco-friendly education and tourism products
Education is a key element of The Cliffs Interpretation Centre’s sense of responsibility; using wild produce without damaging the source, the Centre is an arena for raising the awareness on the environmental, social and cultural importance of Dingli Cliffs and the surroundings.
The Cliffs Interpretation Centre acts as continuous education source. Visitors to the area of Dingli Cliffs are being continuously updated on the ecological importance of several of the 1000 wild flora species and habitats in the Dingli countryside, even if they initially visited Dingli Cliffs for the panoramic views.
Whilst the information panels and regularly published free European Commission magazines provide information on both the local and regional environment, and the website is being continuously updated, the upgraded tour packages blend the environment and entertainment into a comprehensive visit. Whilst promoting the protection of our natural environments as per the Habitats and the Birds Directive, respecting the local scenario and gaining more knowledge on the archaeological significance of Dingli Cliffs, gastronomy and local produce, the Discover Dingli Cliffs tours include a pleasing invigorating walk. The tours add value to the visit not only by observing panoramic views but also getting in direct contact with nature, culture, and history.
Education should start early in life. The Cliffs Interpretation Centre has formulated its own children’s character based on a donkey to promote learning about the surroundings whilst colouring. Education to school students is also put to the forefront at The Cliffs Interpretation Centre. School visits by secondary school students and even gastronomically-related entities such as ITS have and will continue to occur at The Centre, enabling an engaging and hands-on out of the classroom experience whilst still learning about the multitude of factors which have formed and continuously shape Dingli Cliffs.
The tour packages offered by The Cliffs Interpretation Centre also stimulate sustainable tourism by enhancing the value of the Maltese tourist product during the shoulder months. The current extra input in the Discover Dingli Cliffs innovative packages, offered by the Centre will reinforce this added value, always in line with the recommendations of the Habitats Directive. Positive socio-economic returns of this venture by The Cliffs Interpretation Centre include the creation of new environmentally-friendly jobs, cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders and landusers.
Moreover, The Cliffs Interpretation Centre offers visitors with the possibility of buying local products that are convenient souvenirs such as local jams and delicatessen. Whilst local herbs and spices have been packaged in small concentrations to be as environmentally-friendly as possible; they also outline the ecological and historical importance of the plant species from which they are derived, in an innovative method of education.
Education at The Cliffs Interpretation Centre is used to increase the understanding of the interdependency between tourism and our environment, whilst encouraging that people are responsible and accountable for their actions.
All this with no extra burden on the Government funds, a real continuous sustainable project. We give more than we take.
